Work Text:
Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth…
“Would you quit?” Fanfiction.net leaned back in her chair with a groan. “You’re going to wear a groove in the floor.”
“I know, I know.” Tumblr spun on their heels and sat back down beside her.
…
They stood back up and kept pacing across the empty lobby of the maintenance clinic.
“Oh, come on! They’re gonna be fine. It’s just a scheduled appointment.”
“I know, Nettie. But…” Tumblr twisted their hands, fidgeting. “I just…haven’t gotten used to this yet. Always waiting for them to get out.”
Nettie eyed them judgementally. “Haven’t you two been friends for years?”
“Yeah..”
“So what are you so afraid of? You know they’re gonna be fine.”
Tumblr turned sharply to face the older website. “But- what if they’re not? What if someone comes out of that door right now and tells us they’re shutting down?!”
Nettie shook her. “You’re such a worrywart.”
Tumblr turned away and continued pacing. Part of them was jealous of Nettie; Ao3’s older sister was surely used to this by now, driving Ao3 to appointments and checking on them periodically, even after they’d moved in with Tumblr. Even Wattpad, who was about Tumblr’s age, seemed somewhat indifferent. Tumblr was the only one that got jittery every time. Every time Ao3 disappeared behind that damn clinic door…
“How long is the appointment supposed to be again?”
“Tumblr!” Nettie groaned in exasperation. “Fifteen hours. Could be better, could be worse. But we’ve still got five hours to go.”
Five hours…at this rate, Tumblr might be needing a checkup too.
Creaaak
“Hellie?”
Tumblr whirled around to see their lover, standing safe and sound in the doorway. A little tired, holding onto the wall. But still a sight for sore eyes.
Nettie stood and walked over, but Tumblr ran, scooping Ao3 up into their arms. Ao3 yelped, grabbing them around the neck. “Ack- okay! Hi!”
“Hi,” Tumblr grinned, starting to spin them but stopping quickly- since it had made them dizzy last time- and instead setting them down. “You’re done early! That means everything’s good, right?”
“Yeah, yeah it does- damn, hellie, you’re like a golden retriever,” Ao3 snickered, still holding onto their shoulders.
“Yeah, one with a fantastic owner,” was Tumblr’s reply. Ao3 scoffed and blushed. Nettie rolled her eyes, as she took a piece of paper from the nurse that had walked out with Ao3.
“Alright, you two. Got everything?”
Ao3 sighed, leaning on Tumblr. “You’re driving?”
The look Nettie gave them suggested that she would trust Tumblr driving about as much as she would ChatGPT, the fool. And Ao3 was too tired anyway. “Yes. I’m driving. Let’s go.”
Ao3 nodded, but as Nettie turned away, they didn’t move from their position, half-buried in Tumblr’s shoulder.
Hmmm.
Tumblr tapped the top of their head, and when Ao3 looked up, Tumblr eased away- only to crouch down in front of them, inviting.
Ao3 stifled a small laugh before grabbing their shoulders and leaping on. Tumblr caught and adjusted them into a comfortable piggyback, then started after Nettie, finally headed home.